Should Cowboys welcome Ezekiel Elliott back days after cutting the $90M RB?
Ezekiel Elliott had a remarkable seven years with the Dallas Cowboys. He was their first-round selection in the 2016 NFL Draft as he was taken fourth-overall.
As a rookie, he had one of the best seasons of his career. He recorded a career-high 1,631 yards and a career-high 15 rushing touchdowns, making the Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro.
He was suspended for the first six games the following season for violating the NFL's conduct policy, but still finished with over 1,200 total yards and nine touchdowns.
In 2018, he earned the second All-Pro selection of his career and second Pro Bowl, recording 1,434 rushing yards and setting career-highs in receptions (77) receiving yards (567) and receiving touchdowns (3.)
He would go on to have two more 1,000 yard seasons of his career before hitting a stump in 2022.
This past season, Elliott rushed for a career-low 876 yards and is averaging a career-low 3.8 yards per carry. He also recorded a career-low in receptions (17) and yards (92.)
On March 15, 2023, the Cowboys released Elliott due to cap reasons and a lack of production in 2022.
The player is an unrestricted free agent now who is expected to sign with a team on a cheaper deal. Before the 2019 season, Elliott signed a six-year extension with the Cowboys worth $90 million, with $50 million guaranteed.
Cowboys, Ezekiel Elliott close in on a six-year, $90 million extension that would tie him to the team through 2026 wp.me/p14QSB-b7iv
He's due $11.8 million in dead cap.
Now that he's a free agent, the Cowboys could re-sign Elliott on a team-friendly deal. It wouldn't be a bad move to have him come back for another season as the backup to Tony Pollard since Pollard won't start the season most likely due to his leg injury suffered in the NFC Divisional game.
#Cowboys RB Tony Pollard has been ruled out with an ankle injury described as a high-ankle sprain by the Fox broadcast. If Dallas advances, his availability would be in doubt.
The Dallas Cowboys have their new RB1 in Tony Pollard
There's a new RB1 in Dallas, and his name is Tony Pollard. After taking over as Dallas' lead back last season, Tony Pollard is expected to carry the load for Dallas in 2023.
The Dallas Cowboys franchise tagged Pollard in the off-season and will pay him $10 million this season.
Cowboys’ RB Tony Pollard has signed his franchise tag, per ESPN’s @toddarcher. He's due $10.091 million this year. Pollard and the Cowboys now have until July 17 to negotiate a long-term deal.
He had a career season in 2023 as he ran the ball 193 times for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns. He also caught 39 passes for 371 yards and three touchdowns.
Pollard may not be healthy at the start of the season due to the high ankle sorain and fractured tibula he suffered in the playoffs, and Dallas would like a veteran to start the season for them.
Do you think the Cowboys should re-sign Ezekiel Elliott?